After taking a one week break from weekly racing last week with NASCAR in town, the Pro Series returned to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Saturday for a 40-lap feature race.
As always, the Pro Series competition kicked off with two 10-lap qualifying heats. Corey Bubar pulled away with the early lead in the first heat as Rusty Poland and Alan Tardiff battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him.
Poland pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 7 and was all over Bubar in the closing laps, hungry for the lead. Bubar edged him out, capturing the heat victory. Alan Tardiff rounded out the top 3.
Travis Buzzell and Gary Smith duked it out for the early lead in the second and final qualifying heat. Joe Pastore was also on the move early, quickly overtaking Casey Call for third.
Gary Smith maintained a slight edge over Travis Buzzell through the finish and even experienced his fastest lap of the heat on the final lap, where it mattered the most. Joe Pastore rounded out the top 3.
14 drivers took to the track for the 40-lap feature. The initial start was called off by race control, but Corey Bubar took off with the early lead once the field got rolling.
Travis Buzzell was on the move in the first half of the feature, knocking on Dave Oliver’s door for fifth on lap 15. Three laps later, Alan Tardiff made his way to the inside of Rusty Poland, spearheading a battle for third.
As the drivers third on back battled it out side by side for position, Corey Bubar and Gary Smith were able to pull away at the front of the field, extending their lead to a full 1/4 straightaway with 10 laps to go.
After battling it out for the better half of the race, Rusty Poland finally pulled ahead with sole possession of third on lap 36. Travis Buzzell also maintained an edge over Dave Oliver, pulling away from the #21 machine and posing a challenge for Alan Tardiff in the closing laps, challenging Tardiff for third.
Corey Bubar sailed away with the win, picking up another feature victory. The win was an emotional one for the Bubar family, as they had exhausted themselves trying to get their dog, Penske, to return home safely after he had ran away from home in the weeks prior to the victory. The family’s endless persistence paid off this past week as they were able to safely trap Penske and bring him home. The victory capped off a bittersweet week for the family.
Gary Smith and Rusty Poland rounded out the top 3 while Alan Tardiff edged out Travis Buzzell by a nose at the finish line, securing a fourth place finish.
Corey Bubar and Dave Oliver have been dominant forces in the Pro Series this season, but drivers like Rusty Poland and Gary Smith continue to get closer and closer to the gold with every passing week. Who will be the next driver to top the podium? Stay tuned to find out!
The Super Saturday competition continues on at Beech Ridge this coming Saturday, July 31st. The racing action kicks off at 4:00 pm.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short tracks! I hope to see you soon!
Cover photo credit: Jamie Williams – Finish Line Photography
Rest in peace, Greg Peters. Our thoughts and well wishes are with the entire Peters family at this time.
